C8 Go to the County Town

As Sung Guodong returned with the treasures, Sung Zhu's eyes practically popped out of her head!

They were all made of gold!

"Zhu, what are you up to?"

"Grandpa, these are all valuable items. I need to store them properly for future use!"

Sung Zhu meticulously picked out the dishes with the best appearance and wrapped them in layers of oil paper before carefully stowing them away in her room.

She intended to secretly dig a hole and bury them late at night when everyone was asleep!

She also thought how much safer it would be if she had a special space to keep them in. Alas, she hadn't figured out how to access such a space.

"This child," Sung Guodong sighed, shaking his head, dismissing her actions as mere child's play.

But Sung Zhu was undeterred, happily bustling about with her task.

Sung Guodong had an easy time trading the dishes. He didn't just swap one for one; he also gave the people an egg or a handful of cornmeal in exchange.

In these times, a handful of cornmeal could save a life! He was doing his part to help others while trading the dishes.

"Grandpa, what are you doing?"

Sung Zhu, brimming with joy from moving the dishes, stepped outside just in time to see Sung Guodong handling sacks of grain.

"Zhu, do you want to come with grandpa to the county tomorrow?" Sung Guodong asked, placing the sacks down and beaming at her.

"Sure! What are we going to do in the county?" Sung Zhu recalled how Sung Guodong occasionally took her to the county and treated her to tasty treats.

The feeling of being cherished was truly wonderful!

"We're going to buy some things," Sung Guodong replied cheerfully, patting her head.

"Oh."

Sung Zhu nodded, not particularly excited about the trip to the county.

The next morning, Sung Guodong rose early and prepared porridge before waking Sung Zhu.

"Grandpa, is it this early?"

Sung Zhu yawned, not out of laziness, but because it was indeed very early—the sun hadn't even risen yet!

"We're not early anymore. We need to deliver our grain to the commune first, then head to the county. Come on, little sleepyhead, wash up and have something to eat." Sung Guodong lifted Sung Zhu in his arms.

Sung Zhu suddenly remembered that the commune was still a fair distance from Red Flag Village, and the county town was even farther away!

It made sense why grandpa had risen before dawn.

The villagers were all ready. Several of my uncles loaded up hand carts with grain. Grandfather and I didn't have much land, so we didn't have much grain to contribute. The uncles loaded it all onto the hand carts, sparing us the effort.

"Zhu, be good. Grandpa will carry you."

"No need, Zhu can walk on her own."

As we walked, Sung Guodong felt a pang of concern for Zhu and wanted to carry her, but how could she let this elderly man bear her weight?

She was small, but she could keep up!

After about an hour, we reached the commune, which would be referred to as a township in future administrations.

Sung Zhu had no watch and didn't know the exact time, but dawn had just broken.

"Grandpa, the commune isn't open yet, is it?"

"It's open. Today is the day for delivering our grain dues. They open early for that."

Sung Guodong, knowing the way well, led us to the commune. As expected, there was already a line at the grain station's entrance.

Villagers were everywhere, delivering grain by ox cart, tractor, and mostly by the same type of single-wheeled hand carts our uncles used.

Yet, their expressions were numb, betraying no thoughts.

"Zhu, be good. Just sit there and wait for grandpa," Sung Guodong said as he joined the queue, suggesting that Zhu find a spot to rest.

"No, I want to stay with grandpa."

Zhu wouldn't rest alone and insisted on staying by Sung Guodong's side.

"My dear child," Sung Guodong said, comforted, yet he reminded Zhu to rest if she grew tired.

Zhu and Sung Guodong waited in line, and soon it was almost their turn.

"Sigh."

Those who had finished their grain deliveries left with a soft sigh.

The country had too many farmers and not enough land per capita. With the current low yield per acre, the grain left after fulfilling the communal dues was hardly enough for sustenance. People had to rely on coarse grains, sweet potatoes, corn, and other crops grown on their personal plots to keep hunger at bay.

If Yuan He Ping had been born 40 years earlier, he could have introduced his hybrid rice to the nation sooner, which would have spurred greater development.

Yet, they merely sighed softly, harboring no grievances. The people of that time were truly humble and, in many ways, to be pitied.

"Alright, Zhu, are you tired? How about Grandpa carries you?"

Sung Guodong didn't dwell on it. Once the taxes were paid, he hoisted Sung Zhu onto his back without a second thought.